Elvira Sisolak

At the time of her enrollment there was no Honors College at UMass, but Elvira Sisolak ‘67 opted to write a 6-credit senior thesis and graduated with Honors in Economics.  At the time, she felt that pursuing an Honors thesis would make it easier for her to secure employment upon graduation.

After earning an MA in Economics from George Washington University and several jobs as an economist with federal and state government agencies, Sisolak began working as an economist for the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she has worked for the past 39 years.  In her current position she works with attorneys in field offices, prepares analyses for class cases of employment discrimination, and testifies in court as an expert labor economist.

Sisolak thoroughly enjoys working for the EEO Commission, largely for the direct impact her job has on the lives of millions of people every day.  The Commission enforces the federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or employee on the basis of a persons’ race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.  She feels that her role at the Commission adds to the advancement of the country and this is something she is extremely proud of.

Crediting her education as providing her with the necessary skills for success and fulfillment in the professional world, Sisolak urges prospective students to consider UMass and Commonwealth Honors College.  She believes that, “The Honors College offers a wonderful education for the price of a public university.  If you enjoy challenges and are willing to work hard at your studies, you will thrive and make lifelong friends and connections.”